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Northern Hawk Owl

Surnia ululaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)
Northern Hawk Owl Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Hooked
  • Eye Color: Clear lemon to bright yellow, in varying intensities, sometimes tinged with orange.
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Spotted, Special (unique patterns or features)
  • Crown Color: Black with white mottling.
  • Forehead Color: Gray-brown with fine white spotting. White facial disk bordered in black.
  • Nape Color: Black with white mottling.
  • Throat Color: Gray-brown
  • Cere color: Yellow
Northern Hawk Owl Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 37-44 cm (14.5-17.5 in)
  • Weight: 298 g (10.5 oz)
  • Size: Size 3. Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color: White, Brown, Black
  • Underparts: White with gray-brown barring.
  • Upperparts: Gray-brown with white spotting.
  • Back Pattern: Striped or streaked, Solid, Mottled
  • Belly Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Breast Pattern: Barred or banded

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Swift low flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 84 cm (33 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings, Long-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Rounded Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Dark Green
  • Upper Tail: Gray-brown with white spotting.
  • Under Tail: White with gray-brown barring.
  • Leg Color: Feathered in buff-white.
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Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Surnia ulula
Length14.5 - 17.5 Inches
Wingspan33 Inches

Northern Hawk Owl

Northern Hawk Owl: Medium-sized, slender owl with white-spotted brown upperparts and brown-barred white underparts. The gray facial disk is partially bordered by a thick, brown stripe that extends to the upper breast; lacks ear tufts. Wings are long and relatively pointed. Tail is long and rounded.

● Song: "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo", "killy-killy-killy-killy"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Hawk Owl: Eats mostly voles and other small mammals; also takes birds, especially in winter; active during the day.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Hawk Owl: Three to thirteen white eggs are laid in an enlarged woodpecker hole, hollow in a stump, or abandoned raptor or crow nest. Incubation ranges from 25 to 30 days and is carried out by the female. Young can fledge at 25 to 35 days.

● Similar species: Northern Hawk Owl: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Swift low flight.
Northern Hawk Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Northern Hawk Owl: Found across Canada and central and eastern Alaska. During winter months, there is some southward movement to the northernmost states. Prefers edges of burns, open areas cleared by lumbering, and sparse woodlands.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationUncommon to rare, Remote from humans
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight10.5 Ounces